If full-body scanners and TSA pat-downs make you feel uncomfortable, you now have an alternate option  for the hefty price of $85.

The Transportation Security Administration has launched a new program that will allow members to bypass regular airport security checkpoints. Those enrolled in the trusted traveler program, called TSA PreCheck, will no longer have to remove their shoes, jackets, and belts. Members can also keep their laptop computers in their bags.

Currently, only members of frequent-flier programs are given the opportunity to apply without paying a fee. But TSA Administrator John Pistole on Friday announced that all travelers will soon be able to join PreCheck  as long as they pay $85, provide identifying information, pass a background check, and undergo fingerprinting.

Pistole said that enrollment will be opened to the public later this year, and that he expects an additional 3 million people to sign up for PreCheck before the end of the year. About 12 million travelers are currently enrolled.

If his estimates are accurate, the TSA will reap about $255 million from the program in 2013.

Applicants must visit an enrollment site to undergo identification verification and fingerprinting. PreCheck enrollment will be launched at Washington Dulles International and Indianapolis International airports later this year.

Americas travel community applauds TSA for making its highly successful trusted traveler program, PreCheck, more accessible to the traveling public, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow said in a statement. By expanding PreCheck enrollment options, todays action by TSA will help speed more Americans safely through the U.S. air travel system while strengthening Americas aviation security. Its a win-win for everyone.

PreCheck passengers receive a Known Traveler Number that allows them to use special security lanes at more than 40 participating airports in the US.

We just sent a reminder request into a big airline, asking when they will have their long-promised program of avoiding the groping and xrays. Their staff and their website said they’re implementing it for their frequent flyer customers, which would include us. But we’ve heard nothing further about it. So, we asked.
Following is the exchange. It is apparent that further communications are hopeless and we won’t be flying for quite awhile longer.

1.
Hi nice Acme folks! Some time ago, your people said that
you’ll have a program enabling us to avoid the “groping” (security) exercise at
check-in. Could you please sign me up? We’d like to fly a lot more ....
Thank you!
Joe Cool, Loyal Member of your Frequent Flyer Club

2. The airline’s “answer:”

Thank you for your email to Acme Air Lines.

We would appreciate you providing additional information which will
allow us to process your request. Please provide us with the exact
nature of concern.

We appreciate your selection of Acme and will always welcome the
opportunity to be of service.

Sincerely,

Wile E. Agent
Online Customer Support Desk

Hopefully, their pilots are more intelligent than their customer support personnel....

Is any terrorist dumb enough to actually go through a TSA line? Answer: HELL NO!

Think of the fact that probably 95% of all workers in the “secure area” of the flight-line ARE NOT SCREENED each time they come to work and leave work.

Worse yet, all that it takes is a “rag head” at the end of the runway (or the front of it) to simply fire a RPG or high powered rifle at a critical part of a jet taking off or landing to kill everyone on it as it crashes.

The ONLY REASON for the formation of the TSA is to train Americans to freely trade their freedoms for “safety” with the main reason to indoctrinate them into passing through check-points without question in preparation for absolute control by our government in the near future.

19
posted on 07/23/2013 5:02:21 AM PDT
by DH
(Once the tainted finger of government touches anything the rot begins)

This doesn’t sound like a very good idea to me. For frequent flyers, OK, the airlines are very familiar with those people. But to just let anyone pay a fee and go through, what’s to stop some terrorist wannabe from doing that. I’m sure there are plenty of scum out there who have “clean” backgrounds. Of course they’d never make it so it’s not open to Muslims, would they?

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